Telescopic trunk



(No Model.)

`FRANK J. PALICA, OF RACINE, VISCONSIN.

TELESCOPIC TRUNK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 554,298,0lated February 11, 1896. Application iiled December 3l, 1894. Serial No. 53 3,450. (No model.)

To lf/ZZ 107mm it may concern.-

Beit known that I, FRANK J. PALICA, a citizen of the United States, residing at Racine, in the county of Racine and State of Visconsin, have invented a new and useful Telescopic Trunk, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to telescopic trunks, and ithas for its object to effect certain improvem ents in trunks of that character which are adjustable and collapsible so as to accommodate the capacity of the trunk to the amount of goods packed therein, and thereby obviatin g the loose tumbling aboutl of the articles, which results from a partially-filled trunk.

To this end the main and primary object of the present invention is to construct a telescopic trunk in a simple and eflicient manner, whereby the same is readily adjustable to vary the capacity thereof, while at the same time being also constructed as to render access impossible, except by opening the lid or cover.

With these and other objects in view, which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed. v

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a telescopic trunk with the lid or cover thereof thrown open. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view thereof.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, l designates the rectangular bottom section of the trunk-body, and said rectangular bottom section is made of canvas-covered clothboard or other suitable material, and is made in different sizes according to the required size or capacity of the trunk. The rectangular bottom section l of the trunk-body has arranged thereover a larger rectangular telescoping body-section 2, which, together with the bottom section l, complete the adjustable trunk-body, the capacity of which may be varied to suit the quantity of goods that are 4 placed therein.

The rectangular telescoping body-section 2 is sufliciently loose on the bottom section l, so as to be easily adjusted up and down thereon to vary the interior area of the trunkbody, and said telescoping section is preferably made of the same material as the bottom section l in any suitable manner, and the said telescoping section is usually of substantially the same depth as the bottom section 1, so that the maximum size of the trunk will be obtained by adjusting the telescopingsection 2 on the bottom section up to about the upper edge of the latter.

The rectangular telescoping bodysection 2 is, of course, open at the top and bottom, and the open top side of said telescoping body-section and therefore the open top of the trunkbody is adapted to be inclosed bythe swinging lid or cover 3. The swinging lid or cover 3` is hinged at one edge by means of suitable hinges 4 to one side of the telescoping section 2, below the upper edge thereof, and when closed over the open top of the telescoping body-section the lid or cover is adapted `to be secured firmly in place by suitable catches 5 at the ends of the section 2 and a suitable lock (i at the front side of the telescoping body-section 2, opposite thehinged edge of the lid or cover.

The lid or cover 3 is made of the same material as the body-sections of the trunk, and the material of which the said lid or cover is formed is bent downward at the side and end edges of the lid or cover to form depending flanges 7 that are adapted to snugly embrace the upper side and end edges of the telescoping body-section 2 and thereby tightly inclose in the top of the trunk-body, while at the same time serving to hold the lid or cover properly in position and relieve the hinges and fastenings thereof from any undue strain due to hard knocks being given to the lid or cover side of the trunk while in transportation. VThe said lid or cover 3 is provided on the outer side thereof with a suitable handle 8, which provides convenient means for carrying the trunk.

The bottom section l of the trunk-body is adapted to have passed thereunder a pair or more of adjusting-straps lO. The adjusting straps 10 are passed transversely under the bottom section l and are secured fast at one end, as at 11, to one side of the telescoping body-section 2. The free ends of the straps l0 are passed through keepers l2 on the front side of the body-section 2 and are provided IOO With a series of adjustment-holes 13, that are adapted to be engaged with the fixed buckles 14C, that are suitably attached to one inner side of the telescoping body-section 2 near its upper edge. By reason of the disposition of the buckles 14 Within and at one side of the body-section 2 it isnecessary to pass the free ends of the straps lO over the upper edge of the body-section 2 in order to engage the same With said buckles, and as thus engaged it will be obvious that When the lid or cover is closed one of the side llanges thereof Will fit directly over the ends of the straps that pass over the upper edge of the telescopic body-section, and thereby render it impossible to take out the bottom section of the trunk-body, or otherwise gain access Within the trunk-body eX- eept by opening the lid thereof, which is a very desirable feature in telescopic trunks. By adjusting the straps 10 it will be understood that the body-section 2 may be adjusted up and down to vary the capacity of the trunk.

Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

l.. In a telescopic trunk, the combination of a rectangular bottom section, a rectangular telescoping body-section loosely Working over said bottom section, fixed buckles attached to one inner side of the telescoping body-section near its upper edge, adj Listing-straps secured fast at one end to one side of the telescoping body-section, said adj Listing-straps being adapted to be passed transversely under said bottom section, over the upper edge oi' said telescoping body-section, and ad justa-bly engaged with said buckles, and a flanged lid or cover hinged at one edge to one side of the telescoping body-section and adapted to fit over the ends of the straps that are passed over the upper edge of said teleseoping bodysection, substantially as set forth.

2. In atelcscopic trunk, the combination of a rectangular bottom section, a rectangular telescopin g body-section loosely workin g over said bottom section, fixed buckles attached to one inner side of the telescoping body-section nearits upper edge, adj usting-straps connected With the bottom section, passed over the upper edge of said teleseoping body-section, and engaged with the buckles inside of said telescoping body-section, and the flanged lid or cover adapted to it over the ends of the straps that are passed over the upper edge of said telescoping body-section, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my oWn I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of tivo Witnesses.

FRANK J. PALICA.

Vitnesses CHAs. M. DIETRICH, WILL 1I. CARPENTER. 

